TO B. R. HAYDON, ON SEEING HIS PICTURE OF NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE ON THE ISLAND OF ST. HELENA

          HAYDON! let worthier judges praise the skill
          Here by thy pencil shown in truth of lines
          And charm of colours; 'I' applaud those signs
          Of thought, that give the true poetic thrill;
          That unencumbered whole of blank and still
          Sky without cloud--ocean without a wave;
          And the one Man that laboured to enslave
          The World, sole-standing high on the bare hill--
          Back turned, arms folded, the unapparent face
          Tinged, we may fancy, in this dreary place,                 10
          With light reflected from the invisible sun
          Set, like his fortunes; but not set for aye
          Like them. The unguilty Power pursues his way,
          And before 'him' doth dawn perpetual run.
                                                              1832.